Metallurgical furnace



g- 1932- L. s. LONGE-NECKER METALLURGICAL runs/x05:

Filed Oct. 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmmfl orl was" in m

1932- L. s. LONGENECKER 1,874,321

IETALLURG I CAL FURNAC E Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 35 V I 00 Z4. 54 5 5; {a

5 Y K f 1 23- 27 2.; 5' 29 J 2 i M II 11 C 1" PatentedjAul. 1932 um'rso STATES FATE-NT" mu-1;

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This invention relates to refractory blocks such as used in .building'metallurgical furnaces and more particularly, although-not; necessarily, to blocks for use in constructing a roofs for open hearth furnaces and other places where the blocks are subjected to high temperatures and means for supportingsuchblocks. v l

An object of this invention is to produce ing a series of lockstogether in such a way that if one ormore of the sameare broken, the portion will be prevented from falling out of the roof or other. structure in which the blocks are placed; and also provide with means for supporting a pluralit of series of blocks insuch a manner that sha 1 permit rel-,

Another object of this invention is to provide a furnace roof composed. of refractory blocks and means for su porting'the blocks,

without the use of skewbacks or side retent on, in a proper sloping 'tion, and means for predeterminingany dtz ree of slope that may be desired.

A further object of this invention is to pro vide means for supporting a plurality of such series of blocks having means for adjusting each series of blocks with respect to the adjacent series of blocks.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means for supporting such blocks or tiles that shall be simple and inexpensive to manufacture and greatly expedite the installation of a metallurgical roof or other places where such blocks may be employed.

Other objects reside in -thenovel construction, design and combination-of parts described inthe followingspecification and il- "lustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein a practical embodimentof theinven actors 0 reference indicate .hooks are app 10 an improved block or tile of the characteristics indicated, provided with means for unittion isre resented and in which similar charcorresponding parts ofallviews. v 7 Figs. 1 and2 are rspective views of a block embodiedin, t e invention taken at 180 one tot-he other. I

Fig. '3 is ja perspective view of'a air of blocks showin the manner in which t e yoke fied to the blocks.

Fi Q4 isa perspective view of a ortion r of a rn'aee roofor archcomposed 0 blocks. and the supporting means constructed in ac cordance with the invention. a a 1 Fig. 4a is an end view of the rows ofsus- I pended blocks shown in Fig. 4, showing the q off-center hangingpf the rows.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of a urnace roof or archshowing the position taken by the blocks when expanded by heat from the furnace. Fi 6 is a similar view 'to Fi 5,.showing the contracted position of the locks before being subjected to heat. i Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmental view of a support and an adjustable hanger from which blocks are suspended off-center with. reference to the support.

Patent- 1,590,303 issued to me under date ,of June 29, 1926, discloses theinterlocking 4 features which are employed in the resent block embodied in this invention. ccord ing to this invention I provide a block having the interlocking featuresmentioned above to gether with means forsupporting such blocks or tiles which permit easy construction of a a0 roof from such blocks and permit relative movement between the various series or sections of blocks in such amanner as to relieve the roof from the compression and strain caused by the expansion of the blocks when subjected to heat. It will-be obvious that either a flat-or s rung suspended interlocking furnace roo may. be constructed from the .blocks herein described. The present invention shows added features relative to block'l is provided on one of its sides or faces 7 with a tongue or projection 2 of invertedV- shape. The opposite side or face is provided with a groove 3 of V-shape and of substantial- 1 ly. the same dimensions as the tongue or projection 2, the projection or tongue 2 being adapted to engage the groove 3 of an adjacent block-l for preventin the falli away of broken parts of the blocks as fu ly de- 20 scribed in the above mentioned atent. At the upper portion'or end of the lock 1 and directly above'the projection 2 is provided a groove 4, the bottom of said-groove being curved upwardly and terminating at the to face of the block near the center thereo The purpose of groove 4 will hereinafter be described. The block 1, as shown, has a slot 5 located directly above the groove 3 which is dee er and extends slightly further into the b ock than the groove 3. The slot 5 merges into a slot 6 that terminates at the top face of the block 1, the slot 6 being narrower and shallower in depth than the slot 5, the;

pu 'ose of which will hereinafter be descri d.

The block 1 is also provided with a tongue or projection 7 of V-shape disposed on an edge or third side and a groove 8 of like shape on the opposite edge or fourth face.

i Since the opposite edges or opposite faces of each of the blocks 1 are provided with tongues and grooves, thetongues of one block will register and interlock with the grooves of adjacent blocks of thesame row and also 45 of the adjacent rows when the blocks are laid I up in rows as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The blocks or tiles shown in the drawings are relatively thin and it will be understood that the tongueand groove construction is intended to be appplied to all other shapes of blocks and tiles, which make up a full lme of refractories. j a Fi 3 illustrates'yoke hooks 8, one for each block. The yoke hook 8is of U-shape, one arm of which is slightly longer than the other, the shorter arm 9 terminating in a T- shape portion 11- having a tapered side 12. The longer arm 13 terminates in a hookshaped portion 14 forming a groove 15, the contour of which is substantially the same as the contour of the outer faces of the T- shaped portion 11 on the arm 9. The groove 15 is adapted to receive the portion 11 ofthe adjacent yoke book 8' as is shown at 16 in Fig. 3.

In attaching the yoke hooks 8' to the blocks 1 the hooks are so placed over the upper ends of the blocks that the T-shaped portion 11 of the hook 8' is received in the slot 5 and the hook portion 14 of the yoke hook is received by the groove 4 on the opposite side.

The bottom of groove 4 is curved inwardly as indicated at 17 for permitting the portion 14 of the hook to pass to the lowermost portion of the groove 4 since the distance between the face 12 of the portion 11 and the adjacent face of the arm 13 is less than the thickness of the block 1. The inwardly curved bottom 17 of groove 4 permits the portion 14 of the arm 13 to pass to the lowermost portion of the groove 4.

It can be seen from the drawings that the slots 5 and 6 form shoulders 18 at the upper portion of the slot 5. These shoulders rest upon bearing face 19 of T-shaped portion 11 of the hooks 8' so that each block is suspended from the ortion 11 of the hook. Since the slot 5 is o greater depth than the slot 6, the

I inner portion 20 of the upper face 19 of the portion 11 has a bearing surface 21 extending substantially the full width of the slot 5.

The block is therefore supported off-center by the T-shaped portion engaging and cooperating with the slot 5 and the shoulders 18. This off-center arrangement of the hanger gives to each block a natural slope or bias toward the center of the arch or ring as will be better understood as the specification progresses. I Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of a furnace roof showing the mannenin whichthe blocks are to be installed. The roof 22 is supported by hooks 23 each of which are provided with a J portion 24 at their lower ends for engaging a yoke 8' and an adjustable nut 24 and clip 25 at its upper portion for adjustably'connecting the roof to an over-head supporting structure made up from suitable structural members as shown'at 26 and 27. The supporting member 26 is preferably of such form as to adapt it t9 support a pair of rows of blocks of substantially arch or arc form as shown in Fig. 4. The"width of the bottom of the supporting member 26 is sligthly less than the distance between the yoke hooks of the adjacent rows. This causes adjacent rows to be urged, by gravity, towards each other and hang close together and yet permits relative movement therebetween duringexpansion and contraction-caused by different temperatures to which the roof may be subjected. As is apparent from Figs. 4 and 4a, the rows of blocks suspended from opposite sides of member 26, are biased by gravity towards a vertical or perpendicular plane passing through the longitudinal axis of support 26.

This construction also permits the swinging apart of adjacent rows as well a'sthe swinging apart of the sections or series of 130 sitely disposed position. The J portions'24 engage the yokes 8 at their adjacent sides.

Since the blocks 1 are oppositelydisposed and en ported off-center by the portion 11 ofthe yolics 8, the lower portion of the blocks Wlll tend to slope toward the center of the ring as shown in Fig. 6 at 29. A series of blocks are then built up in the manner shown by Fig. 3; viz., the portion 11 of each adjacent yoke 8' is positioned in the groove 15 of the corresponding yoke 8'. In this manner it can be seen that one hook 23 may be employed to support a predetermined number of blocks 1 which I term a series or section" of blocks; Obviously, the blocks will slightly droop dowwardly' as theweight increases on'the hook 23. Therefore the beginning of a new series or section of blocks sup orted byanother hook 23will be slightly higher than the last block of the adjacent series of blocks...

In this manner a roof is constructed of any desired length anda-n number of rows may be disposed side by si e to give the roof any predetermined width. Since each'block 1,

be 'inning with the block "suspended by its yoke 8' from a J-hook 23, is supported by its yoke 8 from the yoke 8' of an adjacent b ock, in the manner: indicated, each block is hung off-center with respect to the center of gravity thereof, so that each block is urged gravity into positive engagementjwith an a jacent block, as indicated b its accompanying legend 0 Fig. 3.

Thus, the blocks in each row illustrated'in 3 Figs. 4,4(1. and 5. are biased in two directions as indicated by thelegends and arrows appearing on the drawings.

Such a roof is easily and .expediently in stalled without-the use of cement and without the hazard of blocks dropping out. The

builder has the use of both hands at an times as it is only necessary to engage the blocks v one onto the other as above described.

This construction causes allof theblo'cks to naturally slope toward the center of each row and thereby maintains at all times close contact relation with one another at the bot-' tom portion of the roof, the value of which is obvious to those acquainted with metallurgi cal furnaces. I

Another advantage of this construction is manifest by the relative sliding action between cooperating series or sections of blocks during the expansion or contraction'of' the the arrow and blocks when subjected to difierent temperatures. As stated above,'Fi'g. 6 shows the position of-the blocks when they are contracted 'dueto normal temperature, andiiFig. 5 illustrates the position of the bloc s when exheat. As the blocks expand panded due to y course expand and swing the the sections of adjacent sections outwardly. This expan-' sion causes the outer ends of the sections to move outwardly and upwardly so that when the blocks are infull expanded position the roof'is in completeali v ent.

It can be seen from t ejabove that since no skewbacks or end supports are provided for the roof, the rows are free to swing in any direction as the compression due to expansion maydictate. This revents the brea ingof tiles and greatly pro ongs the life of the root.

Other advantages lie in the simple "and rugged construction of-theIroof'and' the in expensive manufacture of the tiles and supportin means. a

Whi e Ihave illustratedand described but one embodiment of this invention it will be apparentto those skilled in'the art'that certam changes, modifications, substitutions,

additions andomissions may be made in'the apparetu's described without departing from tlig apirit andscop'e' of the apipended claimsl at I claim as newan by Letters Patent is: 7

l. A furnace roof blocks arranged side by side" and intercondesire to secure apexes uppermost and a swinging means for composed of refractory 'nected bymeans of tongues and grooves of general [triangular form and having their;

supporting the said blocks, the said means permitting relative movement between the adjacent a sion and contractionthereof. v 2. A furnace roof composed of refracto blocks, a u -shaped hook forengaging 'eac block, the said hook having a portion for receiving a cooperating ortion of, each adjacent hook an means or enga ing one of 3. A furnace roof com osed of a plurality ces of the blocks during expan said hooks for sup ortin a uralit of blocks. p g p y of series of refractory b ocks each block of said series being provided with a-U-shaped hook having a portion for engaging an'adjacent hook and for supporting an adjacent. 7

block and a single means 'for' supporting each series of blocks. y

' 4. A furnace roof composed of a pluralit of series of refractory blocks, each bloc of each series being provided with a U- shaped hook for meshing an adjacent block,

and adjustable means for engaging the hook of onev of said blocks for supporting the series of blocks. Y

5. A furnace roof including a plurality of rows of' refractory blocks, each row composed of a plurality of 'sections of refractory blocks, each block of the said sections being provided with a U-shaped hook, and a single means for en aging one of the said hooks of each section tion.

each of the said 6. A furnace roof including a plurality of rows of refractory blocks, each row comed of a plurality of sections of refractory lb cks, each block of the said sections being provided with a U-shaped hook and a swinging means for engagmg one of the said hooks for supporting each section whereby the sections are'permitted to swing in any direction that maybe dictated by expansion or contraction of the blocksduring different temperatures. j a

7. A furnace roof composed of a pluralit of sections of 'refractor blocks, each bloc of a section being1 provided with a support, the said'su port aving a portion for cooperating wit a hook engaging portion ofan adjacent block of the said section and means for sup orting each of said sections.

8. A urnace roof com osed of a plurality of series of refractory b ocks, each block of a series being provided with a support, each of said supports having a portion for engaging and cooperating with: an adjacent support of said series in such a manner as to permit relative sliding action between adjacent blocks of said series during expansion or contraction of the said blocks.

9. In a furnace roof, the combination with a lurality of series of refractory blocks, of

a swinging means for supporting series in side by side relation, the said'means comprising a U-shaped yoke having a T-shaped portion for engaging each block on the upper portion of one of its sides and a J-shaped ortion for en-- gaging a groove in the sai block on the opposite side to theT-shaped portion, the said J-shaped portion engaging and cooperating with the T-shape portion of each adjacent block and a hook for engaging one yoke of each series for supporting the said series.

10. A furnace roof including a plurality of sections of refractory blocks, a separate sup ort for each block of a section, each ofv saifsupports having a portion for supporting its block from the support of an adjacent block of the same section, and means for supportin each of said sections.

11. g furnace roof including a plurality of sections of refractory blocks, and a separate support for each of said blocks, each of said supports having a portion for supporting its block therefrom and a portion for engaging the support of an'adjacent blockto thereby support said block and its support from the support of said adjacent block.

12. A furnace roof including a plurality of sections of refractory blocks, and independent support for each of said blocks, each of said supports having a portion from which its block is supported and having or supportingthe sec-.

.tion for receiving a a portion for engaging the support of an a 'acent block of the same section, and means for supporting each of said sections.

13. In combination, a support, a group of blocks laid up in a. row, hanging means for 'each block, means for hanging one of said blocks from the support, and means for suportm each of the other blocksin said roup rom t e hangin means of an adjacent lock.

14. A suspen ed refractory structure comprising a plurality of blocks, suspending means for each block and means suspending each block from the suspending means of an adjacent block.

15. In a structure comprising a plurality of blocks, in combination, arranged in adjacent rows, means for suspendin the blocks of each row off center from t e support so that adjacent faces of the blocks in each adjacent row are biased towards a perpendicular passing through the support, and meansfor so sus endin each block of each row that the bloc s are iased in a direction longitudinally of said row.

16. A suspended refractory structure comprising a group of blocks, a support, means for suspending said blocks from the support as a group, and detachable means for supporting each block onthe detachable means of an adjacent block.

17. A furnace roof composed of refractory blocks, a supportin member for enga ing each block, the sai g member having a porcooperating portion of each adjacent supporting member and'means for engaging one of said supporting members .for supporting a plurality of. blocks.

18. A suspended refractory structure composed of re ractory blocks and a supporting member for each block, each supportin member having a portion thereof dispose to receive a cooperating portion of an adjacent block supporting member, one of said sup portin members being disposed to carr y the load 0 said blocks.

19. A suspended refractory structure composed of re ractcry blocks each having a recess in a face thereof, and a support for each block, each support having a portion of T- shape adapted to register in the recess of its associated block, each support also having a portion thereof disposed to receive a cooperating portion of an adjacent block supporting member.

20. A sus ended refractory structure composed of ref iactory blocks each having a recess of T-shape in a face thereof, and a support for each block, each support having a portion adapted to register in the recess of its associated block, each support also having a. portion thereof disposed to receive a cooperating portion of an adjacent block supporting member.

21. A block supporting member having a a support, blocks supporting member are curried by the first portion from which a. block may be empend ed, end mother portion adapted to e oomplementel portion of an adjacent supporting member, so that when a series of such supporting membere are assembled in operative relation from a startin point, eaich supporting member is carri lg its ed-j'ecent supporting member and all e supportmg members of the series beyond the first su porting member.

testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of September,

1m. e v. LEVI s. LONGENEQKEB. 

